Here's a hypothetical here: does working a 12 hour day just to get a beta out so the community can test it not immediately qualify for the suggestion that they are very hard working and dedicated?
Having worked in non-game software development for 20 years, there are many times when you put in as many hours as is necessary, and what's amazing is sometimes that hard work really pays off and you release something really great, but sometimes it can almost be in vain. In my line of work it's often down to mis-management, as the decision makers refuse to cut features or they just add too many in. Meanwhile, those of us who raise concerns are often never listened to at all.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I like Elemental. I think it holds a lot of promise. But it's buggy, its campaign is very much a mess, and a mess that isn't very fun at all. But the basic strategy game is pretty good, and with even more hard work it may one day be great.
Just don't think that 12 hour days makes you a hero. It's awesome that Stardock has worked so hard to get Elemental out the door. It will hopefully pay off in sales that makes their investment worthwhile. And they will hopefully continue to improve the game and make others in the future.
But having given them my money, not only the $50 for the Beta and final release, but an additional $20 for the LE boxed version (which I've yet to receive, mind you), but also the $10 for Brad's Elemental book, and much more for other Stardock products I've bought in the last month. I bought them because I was caught up in the excitement of Elemental, even as I knew that the game wouldn't be "finished" when it was complete.
And don't think I regret those purchases, but also don't think I'll excuse the slipshod quality of Elemental just because Stardock put in extra hours.
